Parliament of Zimbabwe Employee Directory

strengthen the capacity of MPs to contribute more effectively to Parliamentary proceedings improve internal systems and procedures of the house increase public participation in the Legislative process and enhance the oversight role of the House with special emphasis on promoting greater efficiency in the management of Public funds. 1. Although Parl... iamentary Reforms started at Independence in April 1980, they were largely undertaken in an ad hoc manner. However, the Legislature became increasingly aware that it was still widely viewed by the public as being a remote institution which was ill ' equipped and inadequately resourced to effectively represent the constituents. Furthermore, there was a popular perception that Parliament was too weak to bring the Executive Branch of the state to account for its actions and for public funds. Therefore, in an effort to address these concerns, the institution established a Parliamentary Reform Committee (PRC) in October 1996 to desire the designed reforms. 2. The PRC was tasked to investigate and make recommendations on the following matters: The practice and procedure of the House in relation to public business; The committee system; The Legislative process; Civic participation in Parliamentary business; The conditions of work and support services for Members and staff of Parliament; and Dress code decorum. 3. In order to carry out its mandate, the Committee engaged in unprecedented nation wide consultations with the public and civic organizations. The Committee also undertook extensive comparative research on best practices in selected African, European and Asian Parliamentary democracies. In 1999, the PRC submitted its Final Report confirming that Parliament was indeed, viewed as a remote institution which did not involve the public in its business, and that it was too weak to exercise oversight over the Executive wing of Government. The Committee also found that the public felt that the Legislature lacked the resources to effectively represent the people and that ...Read More